Method and apparatus for reducing standby power consumption of a handheld communication system

ABSTRACT

Method and apparatus for managing power consumption within a handheld multistandard communication system are disclosed and may comprise receiving a power setting signal from a control device within the handheld multistandard communication system. The power setting signal may indicate a desired power level setting. In accordance with the power setting signal, power supplied to at least one device within the handheld multistandard communication system may be adjusted based on a generated power adjustment signal. The power adjustment signal may control the power supplied to the device. The adjusted power supplied to the at least one device within the handheld multistandard communication system may correspond to one or more power level settings. The power level settings may comprise a NORMAL operating power level setting and/or a LOW power level setting.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

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FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

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MICROFICHE/COPYRIGHT REFERENCE

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FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Certain embodiments of the invention relate to power consumption inelectronic circuits. More specifically, certain embodiments of theinvention relate to a method and apparatus for reducing standby powerconsumption of a handheld communication system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Mobile communication systems such as cellular telephones, personaldigital assistants (PDAs), and handheld systems are now required toperform more sophisticated communication functions with multiplenetworks, as well as multimedia functions. For example, a multistandardwireless communication device, such as a cellular handset, may comprisea Bluetooth device for wireless PAN (personal area network)communication, a Wi-Fi device for wireless LAN (local area network)communication, and/or an application processor for playing music andcapturing video.

Multistandard wireless communication systems may be adapted to operatein sleep mode and in normal mode. The standby period of operation maytake most of the ON time. During a standby period of operation, themultistandard wireless communication system may only need wake upperiodically to check incoming calls, for example, and may operate insleep mode for the rest time. Most conventional multistandard wirelesscommunication systems do not control power consumption in standbyperiods.

Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditionalapproaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, throughcomparison of such systems with the present invention as set forth inthe remainder of the present application with reference to the drawings.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A system and/or method for reducing standby power consumption of ahandheld communication system, substantially as shown in and/ordescribed in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forthmore completely in the claims.

Various advantages, aspects and novel features of the present invention,as well as details of an illustrated embodiment thereof, will be morefully understood from the following description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is an exemplary timing diagram illustrating power consumptionduring standby and normal operating mode, in accordance with anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1B is a block diagram of an exemplary multistandard wirelesscommunication system utilizing reduced standby power consumption, inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary timing diagram illustrating NORMAL power leveloperation and LOW power level operation of an exemplary multistandardwireless communication system, in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary timing diagram illustrating a LOW-NORMAL-LOWtransition in operating power within an exemplary multistandard wirelesscommunication system, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating exemplary steps for aNORMAL-LOW-NORMAL transition in operating power within an exemplarymultistandard wireless communication system, in accordance with anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating exemplary steps for managing powerconsumption within an exemplary multistandard wireless communicationsystem, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Certain aspects of the invention may be found in a method and system formanaging power consumption within an exemplary multistandard wirelesscommunication system. For example, standby power consumption for adevice in LOW power or sleep mode within the multistandard wirelesscommunication system may be further reduced by lowering a voltage and/orcurrent supplied to the device below a voltage and/or current normallyused for wake-up mode. In this regard, the voltage that is normally usedwhile operating in a LOW power mode is further reduced to a level wherethe device is still allowed to operate properly all sleep modefunctions.

In one embodiment of the invention, the handheld multistandardcommunication system may be adapted to receive a power setting signalfrom a control device integrated within the handheld multistandardcommunication system. The received power setting signal may indicate adesired power level setting. In accordance with the received powersetting signal, power supplied to at least one device within thehandheld multistandard communication system may be adjusted based on agenerated power adjustment signal. The power adjustment signal maycontrol the power supplied to the devices within the handheldmultistandard communication system.

The adjustment of the power supplied to one or more devices within thehandheld multistandard communication system may correspond to one ormore power level settings. The power level settings may comprise aNORMAL operating power level setting and/or a LOW power level setting.The power setting signal indicative of the desired power level settingmay be acquired from the device within the handheld multistandardcommunication system. A current to the device within the handheldmultistandard communication system may be limited based on the desiredpower level setting.

FIG. 1A is an exemplary timing diagram illustrating power consumptionduring standby and normal operating mode, in accordance with anembodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 1A, an exemplarymultistandard wireless communication system may operate for briefperiods of time in normal mode 105. During such operation in normalmode, a user of the multistandard wireless communication system, such asa handheld system, may be conducting a telephone conversation ordownloading and processing email, for example. During an exemplarystandby period of operation, the multistandard wireless communicationsystem may be mostly in sleep mode 103, as illustrated in FIG. 1A. Sincethe standby period of operation may take most of the ON time of theexemplary multistandard wireless communication system, an effectivecontrol of the power consumption in the standby periods maysignificantly prolong the battery life time of a handheld communicationsystem.

FIG. 1B is a block diagram of an exemplary multistandard wirelesscommunication system utilizing reduced standby power consumption, inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 1B,the multistandard wireless communication system 102 may comprise aplurality of devices, such as a power supply 116, a control module 114,a communication module 112, memory 110, a radio frequency (RF) block108, display 106, and camera 104. Each of the devices within themultistandard wireless communication system 102 may be characterizedwith separate voltage and current requirements, as well as ON and OFFtimes of operation during which a device is turned ON and OFF,respectively.

The control module 114 may comprise suitable circuitry, logic, and/orcode and may be adapted to provide one or more power setting signals 129to the power supply 116. The power setting signals 129 supplied by thecontrol module 114 may be indicative of a power level setting utilizedby the power supply 116. For example, the control module 114 maycommunicate a power setting signal 129 for programming an output voltageof the power supply 116. The control module 114 may communicate powersetting signals 129 to the power supply 116 via a serial port, forexample. In one aspect of the invention, the control module 114 maycomprise a central processing unit (CPU), microcontroller or other typeof processor.

The communication module 112 may comprise suitable circuitry, logic,and/or code and may be adapted to communicate one or more poweradjustment signals 131 for adjusting power supplied by the power supply116 to one or more devices within the multistandard wirelesscommunication system 102. The communication module 112 may be furtheradapted to receive a main clock signal 130 and a real-time clock signal132 from clock signal sources 128. The communication module 112 may alsocomprise a sleep timer 134.

The power adjustment signal 131 communicated by the communication module112 to the power supply 116 may result in a LOW or NORMAL power levelvoltage supplied to one or more devices within the multistandardwireless communication system 102. The LOW power level voltage may beindicative of a sleep mode of operation and the NORMAL power levelvoltage may be indicative of a normal mode of operation for the signalreceiving device within the multistandard wireless communication system102.

The main clock signal 130 received by the communication module 112 maybe utilized for clocking the devices within the multistandard wirelesscommunication system 102 during a normal mode of operation. Thereal-time clock signal 132 may be utilized for clocking the deviceswithin the multistandard wireless communication system 102 during asleep mode of operation. The sleep timer 134 may be utilized for timingduration in which one or more of the devices within the multistandardwireless communication system 102 are operating in standby mode. In oneembodiment of the invention, the power adjustment signal 131 may causethe power supply to select a NORMAL power voltage level output when thesleep timer 134 is inactive and a LOW power voltage level output whenthe sleep timer 134 is active.

The RF module 108 may comprise suitable circuitry, logic, and/or codeand may be adapted to process RF signals received by the multistandardwireless communication system 102 and/or RF signals prior totransmission by the multistandard wireless communication system 102.

The display 106 and the camera 104 may be adapted to provide display andcamera capabilities, respectively, within the multistandard wirelesscommunication system 102.

The power supply 116 may comprise regulator modules 118, . . . , 126,normal setting registers 146, . . . , 154, and sleep setting registers156, . . . , 164. Each of the regulator modules 118, . . . , 126 maycomprise suitable circuitry, logic, and/or code and may be adapted tosupply LOW power level voltage for sleep mode of operation and/or NORMALpower level voltage for normal mode of operation to a device within themultistandard wireless communication system 102, upon receipt of thepower adjustment signal 131. For example, regulator modules 118, . . . ,126 may be adapted to supply a voltage to the communication module 112,memory 110, the RF block 108, the display 106, and the camera 104,respectively, utilizing connections 136, . . . , 144.

The regulator modules 118, . . . , 126 may utilize the normal settingregisters 146, . . . , 154, respectively, to store a value indicative ofa NORMAL power level voltage for use by the corresponding regulatorduring normal mode of operation. Similarly, the regulators 118, . . . ,126 may utilize the sleep setting registers 156, . . . , 164,respectively, to store a value indicative of a LOW power level voltagefor use by the corresponding regulator during standby or sleep mode ofoperation.

Even though the registers 146, . . . , 154 and 156, . . . , 164 areillustrated as being separate from the memory 110, the present inventionmay not be so limited. In this regard, the registers 146, . . . , 154and 156, . . . , 164 may be part of the memory 110 within themultistandard wireless communication system 102. Further, the memory 110may be utilized to store code that controls the reduction of standbypower consumption within the multistandard wireless communication system102.

In operation, the control module 114 may communicate power settingsignals 129 to each of the regulator modules 118, . . . , 126. The powersetting signals 129 may program each of the normal setting registers146, . . . , 154 with corresponding NORMAL power level voltage settingssupplied by the regulator modules 118, . . . , 126 to the devices 112,110, 108, 106, and 104, respectively, during normal mode of operation.Similarly, the power setting signals 129 may program each of the sleepsetting registers 156, . . . , 164 with corresponding LOW power levelvoltage settings supplied by the regulator modules 118, . . . , 126 tothe devices 112, 110, 108, 106, and 104, respectively, during sleep modeof operation.

In one embodiment of the invention, after the multistandard wirelesscommunication system 102 is turned ON, the devices within themultistandard wireless communication system 102 may operate in sleepmode and may switch to normal mode for a brief period of time. Forexample, devices within the multistandard wireless communication system102 may switch to normal mode of operation after the sleep timer 134times out to check the network traffic for an incoming call, beforeswitching back to sleep mode of operation.

During an exemplary sleep mode of operation, the clock sources 128 maysupply the real-time clock signal 132 to the communication module 112.The sleep timer 134 may be utilized to time the duration of the sleepmode of operation. The real-time clock signal may be utilized to clockone or more real-time timers within the multistandard wirelesscommunication system 102. The regulator modules 118, . . . , 126 mayeach supply LOW power voltage to a corresponding device within themultistandard wireless communication system 102, based on the LOW powervoltage setting stored in each sleep setting register 156, . . . , 164.The devices within the multistandard wireless communication system 102may switch out of sleep mode of operation when the sleep timer 134 timesout or expires.

During an exemplary normal mode of operation, the clock sources 128 maysupply main clock signals 130 to the communication module 112. Theregulator modules 118, . . . , 126 may each supply NORMAL power voltageto a corresponding device within the multistandard wirelesscommunication system 102, based on the NORMAL power voltage settingstored in each normal setting register 146, . . . , 154. The deviceswithin the multistandard wireless communication system 102 may switchout of normal mode of operation when the sleep timer 134 is reset fortiming a new duration for sleep mode of operation.

Power consumption P within the multistandard wireless communicationsystem 102 may be represented by the equation P=CV_(s) ²f+V_(s)I_(q),with V_(s) being the supply voltage, C being the capacitive load, fbeing the clock frequency, and I_(q) being the leakage current. Ininstances where the supply voltage is lowered by 30%, for example, insleep mode, the first-term will be C(0.7V_(s))²f=0.49CV_(s) ²f, whichmay represent a 50% saving in power. In addition, lowering V_(s) mayalso reduce I_(q) of the second term. In an exemplary embodiment of theinvention, total power consumed within the multistandard wirelesscommunication system 102 may be significantly reduced by reducing thesupply voltage to the devices within the multistandard wirelesscommunication system 102 while the devices operate in sleep mode. Inthis regard, the reduced power consumption in the standby mode mayresult in a significant increase in the life of a battery used by themultistandard wireless communication system 102.

Power consumption by each of the regulator modules 118, . . . , 126 maybe proportional to the regulator current capacity. For example, if aregulator module is adapted to supply a maximum of 150 mA, the regulatormodule may consume 100 uA. But in instances where the regulator moduleis adapted to supply a maximum of 1 mA, for example, the regulatormodule may consume 10 uA. In another aspect of the invention, todecrease overall power consumption within the multistandard wirelesscommunication system 102, the current capacity for each regulator modulewithin the multistandard wireless communication system 102 may bereduced during sleep mode of operation.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, each of the regulatormodules 118, . . . , 126 may utilize two sets of voltage level andcurrent capacity setting, one for wake-up, or normal, mode of operationand one for sleep mode of operation. The two sets of voltage and currentinformation may be stored in the normal setting registers 146, . . . ,154, and the sleep setting registers 156, . . . , 164, respectively. Thevoltage level and current capacity for sleep mode of operation may besignificantly reduced to levels sufficient to power up only a limitedportion of the circuitry within the multistandard wireless communicationsystem 102, such as real-time timers, for example. In this regard, thecommunication module 112 may utilize the sleep timer 134 and may beadapted to maintain a schedule of wake-up and sleep times for one ormore devices within the multistandard wireless communication system 102.

The communication module may communicate the power adjustment signal 131to the power supply 116. The power supply 116 may utilize the poweradjustment signal 131 to select between a NORMAL or LOW power levelsetting for output voltage and regulator module current capacity, for anormal or standby mode of operation. The power adjustment signal 131 mayeffectuate the operating mode change promptly so that sleep timeduration may be maximized. The time duration necessary for the normalpower supply to settle may be programmable. The multistandard wirelesscommunication system 102 may be adapted to enable the internal normaloperation after the settling time.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary timing diagram 200 illustrating standby NORMALpower level operation and LOW power level operation of an exemplarymultistandard wireless communication system, in accordance with anembodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 2, graph 202 mayrepresent a timing diagram of power consumption within a multistandardwireless communication system, such as the multistandard wirelesscommunication system 102 of FIG. 1B, prior to reducing regulator outputvoltage and/or regulator current during sleep mode of operation.

For example, during time periods [0-t1], [t2-t3], and after time instantt4, the multistandard wireless communication system may be operating insleep mode. In one aspect of the invention, each of the time periods ofsleep mode of operation may be 2 seconds in duration. During idle timeof standby mode of operation, all the main clocks within themultistandard wireless communication system may be disabled and onlyreal-time clocks may be enabled to keep a sleep timer, for example,powered ON. In addition, power P1 may be consumed by the multistandardwireless communication system during sleep mode of operation.

At time instants t1 and t3, the multistandard wireless communicationsystem may wake-up and may switch from sleep to normal mode ofoperation. In an exemplary aspect of the invention, normal mode ofoperation may last for approximately 30 ms, for example, during timeperiods [t1-t2] and [t3-t4].

In another embodiment of the invention, power consumption within themultistandard wireless communication system may be further reduced, asillustrated by graph 204, by reducing the regulator output voltagesupplied by the system power supply and/or by reducing regulatorcurrent. For example, during time periods [0-t1], [t2-t3], and aftertime instant t4, the multistandard wireless communication system may beoperating in sleep mode, with reduced regulator output voltage. In oneaspect of the invention, each of the time periods of sleep mode ofoperation may be 2 seconds in duration.

During idle time of standby mode of operation, all the main clockswithin the multistandard wireless communication system may be disabledand only real-time clocks may be enabled to keep a sleep timer, forexample, powered ON. As a result of the reduced power supply voltageand/or reduced regulator current, power P2 may be consumed by themultistandard wireless communication system during sleep mode ofoperation. In this regard, a total saving of (P2−P1) may be achievedwithin the multistandard wireless communication system by reducing thepower supply output voltage and/or by reducing regulator module currentduring standby mode of operation.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary timing diagram 300 illustrating a LOW-NORMAL-LOWtransition in operating power within an exemplary multistandard wirelesscommunication system, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.Referring to FIG. 3, at 302, a multistandard wireless communicationsystem, such as the multistandard wireless communication system 102 ofFIG. 1B, may de-assert a sleep signal supplied by a sleep timer, forexample, to switch from sleep to normal operating mode. At 304, a powersupply within the multistandard wireless communication system may supplyNORMAL power level voltage to devices within the multistandard wirelesscommunication system thus initiating normal operating mode. The timeperiod between 302 and 304 may represent a settling time for themultistandard wireless communication system. In an exemplary aspect ofthe invention, the settling time may be programmable.

At 306, the sleep timer within the multistandard wireless communicationsystem may communicate a sleep signal to the power supply. The powersupply may then switch to LOW power mode voltage output, concluding thewake-up, or normal, operating mode. After a settling time represented bythe time interval between 306 and 308, at 308, the multistandardwireless communication system initiates operation in sleep mode.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram 400 illustrating exemplary steps for aNORMAL-LOW-NORMAL transition in operating power within an exemplarymultistandard wireless communication system, in accordance with anembodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 4, at 402, it may bedetermined whether the exemplary multistandard wireless communicationsystem is ready for switching to low power mode of operation. If themultistandard wireless communication system is ready for switching tolow power mode of operation, at 404, a communication device manager mayset an alarm. At 406, the multistandard wireless communication systemmay be switched to a real-time clock. At 408, the communication devicemanager may communicate a sleep request to the power management devicewithin the multistandard wireless communication system.

At 410, the power management device may lower output voltage supplied toa plurality of devices within the multistandard wireless communicationsystem to preset sleep levels. At 412, it may be determined whetherscheduled wake-up time has occurred. If it is determined that scheduledwake-up time has occurred, at 414, the communication device manager forwake-up time may withdraw the sleep request previously communicated tothe power management device. Upon detecting that the sleep request iswithdrawn, at 416, the power management device may raise regulatorcurrent and/or voltage supplied to the plurality of devices within themultistandard wireless communication system to preset normal operatinglevels.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram 500 illustrating exemplary steps for managingpower consumption within an exemplary multistandard wirelesscommunication system, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.Referring to FIG. 5, at 502, a power control signal may be received froma device within a handheld multistandard communication system indicativeof a desired power level. At 504, a power adjustment signal may begenerated based on the desired power level. At 506, power supplied tothe device within the handheld multistandard communication system may beadjusted utilizing the generated power adjustment signal. At 508, it maybe determined whether the desired power level comprises a NORMALoperating power level. If the desired power level comprises a NORMALoperating power level, at 510, a voltage that corresponds to the NORMALoperating power level may be supplied to the device within the handheldmultistandard communication system. At 512, it may be determined whetherthe desired power level comprises a LOW power level. If the desiredpower level comprises a LOW power level, at 514, a voltage thatcorresponds to the LOW power level may be supplied to the device withinthe handheld multistandard communication system.

Another embodiment of the invention may provide a machine-readablestorage, having stored thereon, a computer program having at least onecode section for managing power consumption within the handheldmultistandard communication system 102. The at least one code sectionmay be executable by a machine to perform a plurality of steps asdescribed herein. For example, code may be provided to receive a powersetting signal 129 from a control device 114 within the handheldmultistandard communication system 102, indicative of a desired powerlevel setting. Code may be provided for adjusting power supplied to oneor more devices within the handheld multistandard communication system102 in accordance with the power setting signal 129. Code may beprovided for acquiring the power setting signal 129, which is indicativeof the desired power level setting. Code may be provided for limiting acurrent to one or more of the regulators within the power supply 116based on the desired power level setting.

Accordingly, aspects of the invention may be realized in hardware,software, firmware or a combination thereof. The invention may berealized in a centralized fashion in at least one computer system or ina distributed fashion where different elements are spread across severalinterconnected computer systems. Any kind of computer system or otherapparatus adapted for carrying out the methods described herein issuited. A typical combination of hardware, software and firmware may bea general-purpose computer system with a computer program that, whenbeing loaded and executed, controls the computer system such that itcarries out the methods described herein.

One embodiment of the present invention may be implemented as a boardlevel product, as a single chip, application specific integrated circuit(ASIC), or with varying levels integrated on a single chip with otherportions of the system as separate components. The degree of integrationof the system will primarily be determined by speed and costconsiderations. Because of the sophisticated nature of modernprocessors, it is possible to utilize a commercially availableprocessor, which may be implemented external to an ASIC implementationof the present system. Alternatively, if the processor is available asan ASIC core or logic block, then the commercially available processormay be implemented as part of an ASIC device with various functionsimplemented as firmware.

The present invention may also be embedded in a computer programproduct, which comprises all the features enabling the implementation ofthe methods described herein, and which when loaded in a computer systemis able to carry out these methods. Computer program in the presentcontext may mean, for example, any expression, in any language, code ornotation, of a set of instructions intended to cause a system having aninformation processing capability to perform a particular functioneither directly or after either or both of the following: a) conversionto another language, code or notation; b) reproduction in a differentmaterial form. However, other meanings of computer program within theunderstanding of those skilled in the art are also contemplated by thepresent invention.

While the invention has been described with reference to certainembodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention. In addition, manymodifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material tothe teachings of the present invention without departing from its scope.Therefore, it is intended that the present invention not be limited tothe particular embodiments disclosed, but that the present inventionwill include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appendedclaims.

1. A method for managing power consumption within a handheldmultistandard communication system, the method comprising: receiving atleast one power setting signal from a control device within the handheldmultistandard communication system indicative of a desired power levelsetting; and in accordance with said at least one power setting signal,adjusting power supplied to at least one device within the handheldmultistandard communication system based on a power adjustment signal.2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said adjusted power suppliedto said at least one device within the handheld multistandardcommunication system corresponds to one of a plurality of power levelsettings.
 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein said plurality ofpower level settings comprises at least one of: a NORMAL operating powerlevel setting and a LOW power level setting.
 4. The method according toclaim 1, further comprising generating at least one power adjustmentsignal that is utilized for said adjusting.
 5. The method according toclaim 1, wherein said power adjustment signal controls said powersupplied to said at least one device.
 6. The method according to claim1, further comprising, if said desired power level setting comprises aNORMAL operating power level setting, supplying a voltage thatcorresponds to said NORMAL operating power level setting to said atleast one device within the handheld multistandard communication system.7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising, if said desiredpower level setting comprises a LOW power level setting, supplying avoltage that corresponds to said LOW power level setting to said atleast one device within the handheld multistandard communication system.8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising, if a presentpower level setting is a NORMAL operating power level setting and saiddesired power level setting comprises a LOW power level setting,switching a power supply to said at least one device within the handheldmultistandard communication system from said NORMAL operating powerlevel setting to said LOW power level setting based on said at least onepower adjustment signal.
 9. The method according to claim 1, furthercomprising, if a present power level setting is a LOW power levelsetting and said desired power level setting comprises a NORMALoperating power level setting, switching a power supply to said at leastone device within the handheld multistandard communication system fromsaid LOW power level setting to said NORMAL operating power levelsetting based on said at least one power adjustment signal.
 10. Themethod according to claim 1, further comprising, if said at least onedevice within the handheld multistandard communication system isswitched to a desired LOW power level setting, clocking said at leastone device within the handheld multistandard communication systemutilizing at least one real-time clock signal.
 11. The method accordingto claim 1, further comprising acquiring said at least one power settingsignal indicative of said desired power level setting from said at leastone device within the handheld multistandard communication system. 12.The method according to claim 1, further comprising limiting a currentto said at least one device within the handheld multistandardcommunication system based on said desired power level setting.
 13. Anapparatus for managing power consumption within a handheld multistandardcommunication system, the apparatus comprising: a circuitry thatreceives at least one power setting signal from a control device withinthe handheld multistandard communication system indicative of a desiredpower level setting; and said circuitry adjusts power supplied to atleast one device within the handheld multistandard communication systembased on a power adjustment signal, in accordance with said at least onepower setting signal.
 14. The apparatus according to claim 13, furthercomprising a plurality of registers that store at least one of: voltagesetting information and current setting information, for said powersupply based on said received at least one power setting signal.
 15. Theapparatus according to claim 13, wherein said adjusted power supplied tosaid at least one device within the handheld multistandard communicationsystem corresponds to one of a plurality of power level settings. 16.The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said plurality of powerlevel settings comprises at least one of: a NORMAL operating power levelsetting and a LOW power level setting.
 17. The apparatus according toclaim 13, wherein said circuitry generates at least one power adjustmentsignal that is utilized for said adjusting.
 18. The apparatus accordingto claim 13, wherein said power adjustment signal controls said powersupplied to said at least one device.
 19. The apparatus according toclaim 13, wherein, if said desired power level setting comprises aNORMAL operating power level setting, said circuitry supplies a voltagethat corresponds to said NORMAL operating power level setting to said atleast one device within the handheld multistandard communication system.20. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein, if said desired powerlevel setting comprises a LOW power level setting, said circuitrysupplies a voltage that corresponds to said LOW power level setting tosaid at least one device within the handheld multistandard communicationsystem.
 21. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein, if a presentpower level setting is a NORMAL operating power level setting and saiddesired power level setting comprises a LOW power level setting, whereinsaid circuitry switches a power supply to said at least one devicewithin the handheld multistandard communication system from said NORMALoperating power level setting to said LOW power level setting based onsaid at least one power adjustment signal.
 22. The apparatus accordingto claim 13, wherein, if a present power level setting is a LOW powerlevel setting and said desired power level setting comprises a NORMALoperating power level setting, said circuitry switches a power supply tosaid at least one device within the handheld multistandard communicationsystem from said LOW power level setting to said NORMAL operating powerlevel setting based on said at least one power adjustment signal. 23.The apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising a clock sourcethat clocks said at least one device within the handheld multistandardcommunication system utilizing at least one real-time clock signal, ifsaid at least one device within the handheld multistandard communicationsystem is switched to a desired LOW power level setting.
 24. Theapparatus according to claim 13, wherein said circuitry acquires said atleast one power setting signal indicative of said desired power levelsetting from said at least one device within the handheld multistandardcommunication system.
 25. The apparatus according to claim 13, whereinsaid circuitry limits a current to said at least one device within thehandheld multistandard communication system based on said desired powerlevel setting.